State teachers’ union admits Marxist platform points from assembly

The Colorado Education Association finally has provided The Lion with the language of the Marxist resolution its membership approved at a recent assembly.

Previously, the CEA refused to disclose the resolution, citing “process” and privacy concerns.

After the original story appeared in The Lion – which included a denunciation of the Marxist plank by Colorado state Sen. Mark Baisley, R-District 4 – a former federal official sent The Lion a screenshot of the original resolution.

Screenshot of the original resolution, obtained by The Lion.

The screenshot was sent to the official by a disgruntled CEA member who walked out in disgust over the passage of the resolution.

The proposed resolution read as follows:

Proposed Resolution #3 – Economic Equity Submitted by: Bryan Lindstrom 

1 THE CEA BELIEVES THAT CAPITALISM REQUIRES EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN, PUBLIC   

2 SCHOOLS, LAND, LABOR, AND/OR RESOURCES AND, THEREFORE, THE ONLY WAY TO  

3 FULLY ADDRESS SYSTEMIC RACISM (THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE), CLIMATE  

4 CHANGE, PATRIARCHY (GENDER AND LGBTQ DISPARITIES), EDUCATION INEQUALITY,  

5 AND INCOME INEQUALITY IS TO DISMANTLE CAPITALISM AND REPLACE IT WITH A  

6 NEW, EQUITABLE ECONOMIC SYSTEM.  

Reason for Submitting 

We are constantly using band-aids and minor reforms to make things better, which is good, but the system itself is the problem and it needs to be named. 

In response, The Lion sent the screenshot to Lauren Stephenson, director of communications at the CEA, who belatedly admitted to the original resolution. She sent the Lion the revised form of the resolution that passed the assembly.

The approved resolution reads as follows:

Proposed Resolution #3 – Economic Equity 

Submitted by: Bryan Lindstrom 

1              THE CEA BELIEVES THAT CAPITALISM INHERENTLY EXPLOITS CHILDREN, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LAND, LABOR, AND RESOURCES. 

2              CAPITALISM IS IN OPPOSITION TO FULLY ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC RACISM (THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE), CLIMATE 

3              CHANGE, PATRIARCHY (GENDER AND LGBTQ DISPARITIES), EDUCATION INEQUALITY, 

4              AND INCOME INEQUALITY. 

The final version reflects the editing of unnecessary words, but reads like any other Marxist, anti-capitalist and anti-American platform would.

Stephenson claimed the resolution wasn’t meant to be “actionable,” but rather just reflect the views of the union’s 39,000 members.

That probably comes as a big surprise to the majority of teachers in Colorado, who are likely appalled by the actions of the delegates at the CEA assembly.

The Lion reached out to dozens of members of the Colorado Legislature. Only one state representative responded to the Lion prior to publication about the obvious anti-capitalist platform points by the largest union in the state.

“The CEA believes that capitalism, constitutional rights and parental rights are the problem,” said state Rep. Scott Bottoms, R-District 15, in an email to The Lion. “We hear attacks on capitalism on a daily basis: ‘Capitalism, and therefore anyone who has wealth or connected to any commerce is the great evil.’”

Previously, Baisley told The Lion he would be demanding answers regarding the anti-Marxist stance from the union that derives all of its income from taxpayers.

“Because their platform always seems to end up in Colorado classrooms, I will be demanding answers from the leadership of the CEA, including disclosure of all resolutions approved by the voting delegates,” the senator said. “I have already directed my staff to begin those inquiries.” 

Bottoms lamented the fact that a recent proposal to protect parents’ rights in Colorado couldn’t even make it out of committee.

“The move right now is for the schools specifically and the state ‘professionals’ to be in control of our children,” said Bottoms.

The pandemic proved one thing at least: Parents don’t need CEA teachers teaching their children.